Apparatus and methods for automated secondary content management in a digital network

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and methods for generating secondary content scheduling and product offerings for users of a managed content distribution network, such as a cable, satellite, of HFCu network. In one embodiment, the secondary content comprises advertising content to be distributed across a plurality of content networks carried by the managed content distribution network. A plurality of computerized models (including various simulations) are generated based on various data sources, including historical tuning event data for the managed network&#39;s subscribers), and subsequently implemented to structure advertising schedules or campaigns (“bundles”) for each customer in a substantially automated fashion, and that will achieve the desired level of performance specified by the customer, consistent with their budget. Hence, the customer is relieved of having to possess any intrinsic knowledge of advertising channels, demographics (and their correlation to certain content networks), and can merely specify a desired result in terms of e.g., reach and/or viewing frequency.

COPYRIGHT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND Technological Field

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of content data delivery over a network. More particularly, the present disclosure is related in one exemplary aspect to apparatus and methods for secondary content (e.g., advertising, promotions, etc.) management and provision within a managed content distribution network such as a cable, satellite, of hybrid fiber/copper (HFCu) distribution network.

2. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED TECHNOLOGY

In the context of network services, it is often highly desirable to provide users of the network with ready and instant access to a variety of different types of content (e.g., linear or broadcast content, video-on-demand (VOD), “start-over”, streaming media, etc.), accessible at different locations, and on different platforms (e.g., via set-top box, smart-TV, tablet or smartphone, etc.). In many cases, it is also desirable to provide the same users with “secondary” content (such as e.g., advertisements, promotions or “info-mercials”, related shorts, telescoping information/advertisements, hyperlinks, etc.). The secondary content may be directly or indirectly related to the “primary” content which the user selected in the first place (such as via a common theme or context, common persons of interest, common demographic factors, etc.), or can be totally unrelated.

Delivery of secondary content may comprise a major source of revenue for commercial television or movie distributors, and for the network operator. For example, where the secondary content comprises advertisements, it may be a main source of income for national television broadcasters and their local over-the-air affiliates. Cable, satellite, HFCu, and other content distribution networks, as well as Internet content providers, also derive income from the sale of advertising time and insertion opportunities (and “impressions” associated therewith).

Moreover, an advertiser may seek to maximize the return on their advertising investment by targeting specific users or groups of users that are likely to be most receptive to the commercial message embodied in the advertisements. The aforementioned selective “targeting” and delivery of content to e.g., subscribers in a cable network is generally well known in the prior art. For example, it may be desirable to include certain types of advertising at specific demographic or geographic segments of an MSO's subscriber base. One way of targeting viewers involves selecting advertisements based on a geographical region in which the advertisement is to be delivered; i.e., a so-called “advertisement zone”. In other words, it is advantageous to provide certain advertising content to viewers in one local or regional area which is different than that provided to the viewers in a different local or regional area.

For example, the advertisements may be limited by the geographic area in which a business operates. Hence, it typically only makes financial sense for an advertisement for that business to be provided in geographical areas where the business is operated or provides services. Similar logic applies to the demographic, psychographic, and other planes; e.g., an advertisement for a super-high end sports car would likely be wasted when delivered to lower middle-class households or subscribers (which may or may not be correlated to geography), as would an advertisement for a feminine product delivered to a predominantly male audience. Additionally, the context of the primary content may not be compatible with particular types/themes of secondary content (e.g., a VOD movie having a non-violent theme might not mesh optimally with advertisements for UFC sporting or boxing events, regardless of demographics or geography).

Hence, as used herein, the term “advertising zone” may include the delivery of advertisements, promotions, or other secondary content with an actual geographic zone, a demographic “zone” or logical space, a psychographic zone or logical space, a user-based preference space, a primary/secondary content context space, and so forth.

One technique for advertising comprises use of so-called “audience bundles”. Typically, such audience bundles are built to reach a certain demographic group. Audience bundles are useful when a client (e.g., advertiser) has a defined demographic or other target, and wants assurance that their audience is being reached with a certain level of frequency.

One problem commonly encountered in the foregoing scenarios relates to managing the great complexity of secondary content insertion opportunities. For example, a typical cable MSO may have a very large number of local “networks” (i.e., content provider networks or “channels”) ranging from small, geographically localized networks (e.g., KUSI-TV, a San Diego, Calif. independent station) to larger, regional networks, to national- or even global-level networks such as CBS, ABC, etc. Each of these content networks provides varied programming, including a number of secondary content “spots” interspersed throughout the programming day. For instance, on average, a given content network may have two (2) minutes of available advertising spots (aggregate) per hour of programming, such as four (4) 30-second spots per hour. Considering that the MSO may carry, via its content distribution infrastructure, literally dozens of such content networks/channels, this equates to roughly 24 hours×4 spots=96 available spots for each channel per day, and hence perhaps as many as thousands of different available spots in total for a given day. As can be appreciated, this becomes exceedingly difficult to manage manually, even at a basic level (i.e., without delving into the different demographics/psychographics, geographics, user profiles, etc. of the viewers of these channels, and how a given prospective advertiser's products and/or services may correlate or “map onto” such information).

Adding further complexity are such factors as: (i) a given advertiser's potential desire to be associated with particular primary content (e.g., they want to be within or temporally proximate to Monday Night Football since their target demographic is sports-minded people); (ii) the desire to know in advance what sort of penetration or efficacy a given schedule or campaign of advertising might produce; and (iii) financial limitations of prospective advertisers on implementing a given schedule or campaign. These factors are, under prior art approaches, typically addressed through heuristics or generalizations; e.g., in the context of Item (i) above, it is assumed that sports-minded people will be a large portion of the audience for Monday Night Football, but such assumptions may be inaccurate to varying degrees, and lack the ability to be tested under e.g., a sensitivity or other analysis (for instance, as the time slot during the aforementioned event for a given advertisement is shifted outside of the vent, what result such shift has on impressions by the target population of sports-minded people), or validated using e.g., historical or other data.

Yet further, the broad variety of different delivery paradigms and target platforms further complicates management of such activities. As indicated above, the typical MSO network includes both linear (e.g., broadcast, and non-repeatable) content, as well as non-linear content such as streaming IP-based content, VoD, cDVR, start-over, and the like, each of which raise their own issues. For example, does a given content program (e.g., Breaking Bad episode) when originally transmitted at say 5:00 pm local time require the same or different advertising when transmitted (or re-transmitted) at say midnight local, or days or even weeks later? What if certain advertising is not optimized or available for delivery or display on the smartphone or tablet via which the user is requesting it?

Moreover, it is critical for the MSO or other service provider to know (or at least be able to reliably estimate) what its prospective profit and/or revenue from implementing a given schedule or campaign are—the MSO/service provider clearly wants to optimize the financial aspects of providing such services (while also optimizing advertiser utility/satisfaction, as well as providing is subscribers with secondary content that is useful and germane to their particular context).

There is also a potentially large and untapped customer base for the MSO; i.e., relatively unsophisticated, and lower-budget advertisers who, by virtue of lacking explicit knowledge of advertising schedules, market correlations, and the like (i.e., they may know their target audience, but not the specifics of how to reach them), and through limited capital to expend on an advertising campaign, are larger excluded from the market. As in many endeavors, some level of detailed knowledge of the inner workings and considerations associated with multi-channel advertising is required under the prior art, and many of the more unsophisticated potential customers either rely on MSO personnel expertise (which has its own set of disabilities, including costs and latencies associated with human-centric management and implementation), or are dissuaded from any participation.

Heretofore, no suitable mechanism has existed which enables each of a) substantially automated, dynamic analysis and management of the large number of available spots across many different content networks (channels) over a designated period; b) substantially accurate projection of the penetration, impressions, or other performance attributes of a proposed schedule before the customer (e.g., advertiser) selects or implements it; c) substantially accurate correlation between the desired result (e.g., performance which the customer seeks) and that customer's budget; d) substantially accurate projection of the financial or other implications of the proposed schedule or campaign for the MSO or other service provider; e) scaling from relatively small schedules/campaigns to larger ones, including intra-/inter-regionally; and f) coordination with other schedules or campaigns implemented by other MSO customers (e.g., other advertisers) so as to, inter alia, optimize MSO coverage and financial performance.

Prior art approaches have historically managed such activities using, e.g., more general-purpose tools such as database software, manual user data entry and analysis, and the like; yet such tools have proven inadequate, especially in light of the complexities and considerations discussed supra.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure addresses the foregoing needs by disclosing, inter alia, apparatus and methods for managing secondary content schedules and campaigns within a content distribution network infrastructure. In one aspect of the disclosure, a computerized method of constructing secondary content bundles for use in an content distribution network is described. In one embodiment, the method includes: determining a plurality of secondary content insertion opportunities within a plurality of different content networks; based at least on the determined plurality of secondary content insertion opportunities, selecting a subset of the plurality of different content networks; based at least on the selected subset, running a plurality of first computerized simulations to determine one or more optimal insertion opportunity counts to achieve one or more specified target performance criteria; and validating the determined one or more optimal insertion opportunity counts using one or more second computerized simulations that are based on data different than that used for the first simulations.

In one variant, the determination of a plurality of secondary content insertion opportunities within a plurality of different content networks is based at least on allocation of the insertion opportunities across: (i) a plurality of different content networks based on tier; and (ii) a plurality of different dayparts. Such allocation of the insertion opportunities across plurality of different content networks based on tier may, for instance, include allocation across a first tier comprising a prescribed percentage of top-ten popularity content networks, and allocation across a second tier comprising a prescribed percentage of non-top ten popularity content networks.

The allocation of the insertion opportunities across plurality of different content networks based on a plurality of different dayparts can include for example allocation across a prime-time daypart and allocation across one or more non-prime time dayparts. In another variant of the method, the selection of a subset of the plurality of different content networks comprises selecting based at least on a ranking of each of the plurality of content networks by at least one of reach and/or sellout rate.

In one implementation, the selection of a subset of the plurality of different content networks comprises eliminating one or more of the plurality of content networks based on a content context associated with each of the one or more networks.

In another variant of the method, the validation using one or more second computerized simulations that are based on data different than that used for the first simulations comprises running a plurality of second computerized simulations based at least on historical network user tuning data associated with a time period different than an associated time period for historical network user tuning data used for the first simulations. In one implementation, the validation comprises achieving, using the second simulations, at least a prescribed level performance relative to the one or more specified target performance criteria, such as e.g., (i) a reach target, and (ii) a frequency target. In another aspect, a computer readable apparatus comprising a non-transitory storage medium is disclosed. In one embodiment, the non-transitory medium includes at least one computer program having a plurality of instructions, the instructions configured to, when executed on a processing apparatus: obtain first data, at least portion of the first data relating to available advertising inventory on a plurality of different content networks; obtain second data relating to historical tuning activity of one or more users of a service provider network; obtain rate structure data associated with the advertising inventory; determine one or more desired performance criteria for an advertising campaign to be conducted over at least some of the plurality of different content networks; evaluate one or more performance attributes of selected ones of the plurality of content networks based on at least the second data; and, based at least on the obtained first and second data, the rate structure data, the evaluated performance, and one or more performance criteria, calculate a number of individual advertising spots necessary to achieve the one or more desired performance criteria.

In one variant, the one or more desired criteria, and the one or more performance criteria, each comprise both (i) reach, and (ii) frequency.

In another variant, the calculation of the number of spots comprises performing a plurality of computerized simulations based at least on the obtained first and second data, rate structure data, evaluated performance, and one or more performance criteria.

In a further variant, the plurality of instructions are further configured to, when executed: generate a schedule of the individual advertising spots across at least a portion of plurality of content networks, the schedule configured to achieve the desired performance criteria; and apply a multi-modal pricing structure to the generated schedule.

In a further aspect of the disclosure, a computerized method of generating a secondary content schedule is described. In one embodiment, the schedule is configured to achieve one or more performance targets and is utilized within a managed content distribution network having a plurality of subscribers, and the method includes: selecting a date range and a target market for analysis; obtaining one or more standardized descriptions associated with the selected target market; obtaining inventory data, the data indicating available secondary content insertion opportunities associated with a plurality of content networks for the date range; specifying one or more variables to be used for the analysis; excluding one or more networks based on one or more exclusion criteria; determine a number of the subscribers associated with the selected market; obtain viewership data for non-excluded ones of the plurality of content networks; ranking the non-excluded ones of the plurality of content networks based at least on one or more performance metrics; obtaining rate data associated with the inventory; selecting instances of secondary content for a prescribed period; randomizing and ranking the selected secondary content instances; determining a quantity of the selected secondary content instances based at least on the specified one or more variables; obtain historical subscriber viewership data for a duration equal to the prescribed period; evaluate the historical subscriber viewership data for performance; based at least on the evaluation, determine a minimum number of secondary content instances that meet the one or more performance targets; produce a schedule of secondary content instances that includes the determined minimum number of instances; and assign pricing to the determined schedule.

In one variant, the one or more standardized descriptions associated with the selected target market comprise system codes, and the one or more variables to be used for the analysis comprise: (1) a percentage of spots per content network tier; (2) a percentage of spots per daypart and (3) a range of a number of spots to be evaluated.

In another variant, the inventory data comprises: (1) a listing of a plurality of content networks having available insertion opportunities; and (2) a percentage of the available insertion opportunities sold, on both a per-content network and a per-tier basis.

In a further aspect of the disclosure, computerized network apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus is configured for substantially automated calculation of a secondary content schedule for use by one or more customers of a managed content distribution network operator, and includes: a plurality of client application computer programs operative to run on respective remote client devices and communicate respective sets of specifications for respective secondary content campaigns desired by respective ones of customers of the network operator; and server apparatus.

In one variant, the server apparatus includes: processor apparatus; network interface apparatus in data communication with the processor apparatus; and storage apparatus in data communication with the processor apparatus, the storage apparatus comprising at least one computer program. In one implementation, the at least one computer program is configured to, when executed on the processor apparatus: receive, via the network interface apparatus, the plurality of respective sets of specifications from the client application computer programs; for each received respective set of specifications, access one or more pre-existing computerized models, the one or more models comprising simulation-based projections for each of a plurality of performance metrics associated with secondary content campaigns, and select the appropriate one or more models to utilize consistent with the respective set of specifications.

In another implementation, the respective sets of specifications comprise desired performance with respect to campaign reach, and the simulation-based projections comprise a plurality of simulations that are based on different ones of historical tuning data associated with a plurality of subscribers of the managed content distribution network.

In another aspect of the disclosure, a computerized analytics “engine” is disclosed. In one embodiment, the engine comprises a plurality of computer algorithms operative to run on a computerized platform (e.g., server or server farm) and configured to simulate various secondary content (e.g., advertising) schedules or campaigns, and enable determination of, inter alia, a prescribed number of spots on a plurality of networks necessary to achieve a desired target value.

In a further aspect, a data architecture and corresponding database is disclosed.

In yet another aspect of the disclosure, a method of substantially automatically generating advertising campaign aggregations or “bundles” is disclosed.

In a further aspect, a network architecture for use within a managed content distribution network is disclosed.

In another aspect of the disclosure, a method of operating a service provider network is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes determining a plurality of secondary content insertion opportunities within a plurality of different content networks; based at least on the determined plurality of secondary content insertion opportunities, selecting a subset of the plurality of different content networks; based at least on the selected subset, running a plurality of first computerized simulations to determine one or more optimal insertion opportunity counts to achieve one or more specified target performance criteria; validating the determined one or more optimal insertion opportunity counts using one or more second computerized simulations that are based on data different than that used for the first simulations; and delivering at least one of the optimal counts of secondary content via the selected subset of networks.

These and other aspects of the disclosure shall become apparent when considered in light of the detailed description provided herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating an exemplary hybrid fiber/coax (HFC) cable network configuration useful with the present disclosure.

FIG. 1a is a functional block diagram illustrating one exemplary HFC cable network headend configuration useful with the present disclosure.

FIG. 1b is a functional block diagram illustrating one exemplary local service node configuration useful with the present disclosure.

FIG. 1c is a functional block diagram illustrating one exemplary broadcast switched network architecture useful with the present disclosure.

FIG. 1d is a functional block diagram illustrating one exemplary packetized content delivery network architecture useful with the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating one exemplary embodiment of a secondary content management architecture according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2a is a functional block diagram illustrating an exemplary secondary content management entity (SCME) server configuration according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a logical flow diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a generalized computerized method for managing secondary content (including generating content “bundles”) according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 3a is a logical block diagram illustrating the relationship of various data components and processes of the method of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a logical flow diagram illustrating a particular implementation of the generalized method of FIG. 3, adapted for generation of advertising campaign schedules and products.

FIG. 4a is a logical block diagram illustrating the relationship of various logical processes of the method of FIG. 4.

FIG. 4b is a graphical representation of one embodiment of a tabular data structure relating various content networks and system codes (Syscodes) useful with the methodology of FIG. 4.

FIG. 4c is a graphical representation of one embodiment of an allocation of the advertising “spots” or insertion opportunities across: (i) a plurality of different content networks based on tier; and (ii) a plurality of different dayparts.

FIG. 4d is a graphical representation of one embodiment of a network ranking scheme according to the disclosure, wherein exemplary tiers of content networks are ranked based on audience measurement (AM) data and inventory data.

FIG. 4e is a graphical representation of an exemplary performance measure (i.e., percent “reach”) plotted against spot count for a given Syscode, according to a plurality of different computer simulations.

FIG. 4f is a graphical representation of an exemplary multi-model pricing scheme for advertising “bundles” generated by the computerized system of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4g is a plot of exemplary anecdotal performance data for advertising “bundles” generated by the computerized system of the present disclosure, illustrating its relationship to various prior art advertising campaign approaches.

All figures © Copyright 2016 Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC. All rights reserved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

As used herein, the term “application” refers generally to a unit of executable software that implements a certain functionality or theme. The themes of applications vary broadly across any number of disciplines and functions (such as on-demand content management, e-commerce transactions, brokerage transactions, home entertainment, calculator etc.), and one application may have more than one theme. The unit of executable software generally runs in a predetermined environment; for example, the unit could comprise a downloadable Java Xlet™ that runs within the JavaTV™ environment.

As used herein, the term “client device” includes, but is not limited to, digital set-top boxes (e.g., DSTBs), personal computers (PCs), and minicomputers, whether desktop, laptop, or otherwise, and mobile devices such as handheld computers, tablets, phablets, personal digital assistants (PDAs), personal media devices (PMDs), and smartphones.

As used herein, the term “computer program” or “software” is meant to include any sequence or human or machine cognizable steps which perform a function. Such program may be rendered in virtually any programming language or environment including, for example, Python, C/C++, Fortran, COBOL, PASCAL, assembly language, markup languages (e.g., HTML, SGML, XML, VoXML), and the like, as well as object-oriented environments such as the Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA), Java™ (including J2ME, Java Beans, etc.), Binary Runtime Environment (e.g., BREW), C#, and the like.

The terms “consumer premises equipment” (CPE) and “consumer device” refer without limitation to any type of electronic equipment for use within a consumer's or user's premises and connected to a content distribution network. The term “consumer device” includes terminal devices that have access to digital television content via a satellite, cable, or terrestrial network. The term “consumer premises equipment” (CPE) includes such electronic equipment such as set-top boxes (e.g., DSTBs or IPTV devices), televisions, cable modems (CMs), embedded multimedia terminal adapters (eMTAs), whether stand-alone or integrated with other devices, digital video recorders (DVR), gateway storage devices, and ITV personal computers.

As used herein, the term “database” refers generally to one or more tangible or virtual data storage locations, which may or may not be physically co-located with each other or other system components.

As used herein, the term “DOCSIS” refers to any of the existing or planned variants of the Data Over Cable Services Interface Specification, including for example DOCSIS versions 1.0, 1.1, 2.0 and 3.0. DOCSIS (version 1.0) is a standard and protocol for internet access using a “digital” cable network.

As used herein, the terms “Internet” and “internet” are used interchangeably to refer to inter-networks including, without limitation, the Internet.

As used herein, the terms “microprocessor” and “digital processor” are meant generally to include all types of digital processing devices including, without limitation, digital signal processors (DSPs), reduced instruction set computers (RISC), general-purpose complex instruction set computing (CISC) processors, microprocessors, gate arrays (e.g., FPGAs), PLDs, reconfigurable compute fabrics (RCFs), array processors, and application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Such digital processors may be contained on a single unitary IC die, or distributed across multiple components.

As used herein, the terms “MSO” or “multiple systems operator” refer to a cable, satellite, or terrestrial network provider having infrastructure required to deliver services including programming and data over those mediums.

As used herein, the term “network content provider” refers generally and without limitation to any content service provider or content-providing logical “network” such as e.g., ABC, NBC, CBS, etc., regardless of delivery platform or underlying content distribution network infrastructure (see below).

As used herein, the terms “network” and “bearer network” (distinguished from “network content provider” supra) refer generally to any type of telecommunications or data network including, without limitation, hybrid fiber coax (HFC) networks, satellite networks, telco networks, and data networks (including MANs, WANs, LANs, WLANs, internets, and intranets). Such networks or portions thereof may utilize any one or more different topologies (e.g., ring, bus, star, loop, etc.), transmission media (e.g., wired/RF cable, RF wireless, millimeter wave, optical, etc.) and/or communications or networking protocols (e.g., SONET, DOCSIS, IEEE Std. 802.3, ATM, X.25, Frame Relay, 3GPP, 3GPP2, WAP, SIP, UDP, FTP, RTP/RTCP, H.323, etc.).

As used herein, the term “network interface” refers to any signal, data, or software interface with a component, network or process including, without limitation, those of the FireWire (e.g., FW400, FW800, etc.), USB (e.g., USB2, USB 3.0), Ethernet (e.g., 10/100, 10/100/1000 (Gigabit Ethernet), 10-Gig-E, etc.), MoCA, Coaxsys (e.g., TVnet™), radio frequency tuner (e.g., in-band or OOB, cable modem, etc.), Wi-Fi (802.11), WiMAX (802.16), PAN (e.g., 802.15), cellular (e.g., LTE/LTE-A, 3GPP, 3GPP2, UMTS), or IrDA families.

As used herein, the terms “personal media device” and “PMD” refer to, without limitation, any device, whether portable or otherwise, capable of storing and/or rendering media.

As used herein, the term “secondary content” refers without limitation to content other than primary programming content, such as e.g., advertisements, promotions, “telescoping” content, info-mercials, trailers, icons or animated overlays, etc. which may be presented either alone or in conjunction with the primary (or yet other) content.

As used herein, the term “server” refers to, without limitation, any computerized component, system or entity regardless of form which is adapted to provide data, files, applications, content, or other services to one or more other devices or entities on a computer network.

As used herein, the term “user interface” refers to, without limitation, any visual, graphical, tactile, audible, sensory, or other means of providing information to and/or receiving information from a user or other entity.

As used herein, the term “Wi-Fi” refers to, without limitation, any of the variants of IEEE-Std. 802.11 or related standards including 802.11 a/b/g/n/s/v/ac or 802.11-2012, as well as so-called “Wi-Fi Direct”, each of the foregoing incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

As used herein, the term “wireless” means any wireless signal, data, communication, or other interface including without limitation Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G (3GPP/3GPP2), HSDPA/HSUPA, TDMA, CDMA (e.g., IS-95A, WCDMA, etc.), FHSS, DSSS, GSM, PAN/802.15, WiMAX (802.16), 802.20, Zigbee, RFID/NFC, narrowband/FDMA, OFDM, PCS/DCS, LTE/LTE-A, analog cellular, CDPD, satellite systems, millimeter wave or microwave systems, acoustic, and infrared (i.e., IrDA).

Overview

In one salient aspect, the present disclosure provides apparatus and methods for substantially automatically generating advertising scheduling and product (e.g., “bundle”) offerings for users of a managed content distribution network such as a cable, satellite, of HFCu network.

In one exemplary embodiment, the methods an apparatus disclosed herein leverage both a variety of available data sources, including available secondary content inventory (e.g., available advertising “slots” across a plurality of different content networks or channels), and indigenously developed data relating to behavior of individual network subscribers (or larger subsets of the subscriber population), as well as computer-based simulations and models to, inter alia, identify product offerings that will apply to desired numbers and/or segments of the network operator's subscribers and achieve their particular goals, and within certain budgetary prescribed frameworks or rules specified by the network operator's advertising customers.

This capability enables timely generation and implementation of customer-instituted advertising management plans and schedules (based on, e.g., a derived “spot count”, and built around a prescribed period such as a broadcast month), including for a multitude of customers of the network simultaneously, thereby providing a heretofore unavailable operational capability and profitability (analysis) for the network operator, while reducing the need for manual (i.e., human) input, and its associated overhead and latency. The network operator can therefore offer largely preconfigured or “off the shelf” advertising products to its customers (as well as more sophisticated, customized products) in a highly automated fashion, and which have a broad reach.

Such methods and apparatus also enable a relatively unsophisticated advertising customer of the network operator to specify their desired result in high-level terms, consistent with their budget, while obviating the need for such customer to have any in-depth knowledge of their intended consumers of their products/services, or how to reach them (e.g., which programs they watch, etc.).

Moreover, the foregoing analysis and correlation can be used as the basis for “products” that can be provided to other network operators, service providers, or entities (whether free or for consideration), including third party advertisers, irrespective of whether they actually purchase any particular bundle.

Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments

Exemplary embodiments of the apparatus and methods of the present disclosure are now described in detail. While these exemplary embodiments are described in the context of a managed content distribution network (e.g., hybrid fiber coax (HFC) cable) architecture having a multiple systems operator, digital networking capability, and plurality of client devices/CPE, and Internet delivery via e.g., RF QAM and DOCSIS cable modem, the general principles and advantages of the disclosure may be extended to other types of networks, architectures and applications, whether broadband, narrowband, wired or wireless, terrestrial or satellite, managed or unmanaged (or combinations thereof), or otherwise, the following therefore being merely exemplary in nature.

It will also be appreciated that while described generally in the context of a network providing service to a customer or consumer or end user (i.e., residential), the present disclosure may be readily adapted to other types of environments including, e.g., commercial/retail, or enterprise domain (e.g., businesses), and government/military applications. Myriad other applications are possible.

Also, while certain aspects are described primarily in the context of the well-known Internet Protocol (described in, inter alia, Internet Protocol DARPA Internet Program Protocol Specification, IETF RCF 791 (September 1981) and Deering et al., Internet Protocol, Version 6 (Ipv6) Specification, IETF RFC 2460 (December 1998), each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety), it will be appreciated that the present disclosure may utilize other types of protocols (and in fact bearer networks to include other internets and intranets) to implement the described functionality.

Other features and advantages of the present disclosure, including improvements to computerized technology, will immediately be recognized by persons of ordinary skill in the art with reference to the attached drawings and detailed description of exemplary embodiments as given below.

It will also be recognized that while described primarily in the context of one or more relational databases, the various aspects of the disclosure may be implemented using other types or constructs of databases, whether alone or in combination with a relational database.

Managed Service Provider Network—

FIG. 1 illustrates a typical service provider network configuration useful with the features of the automated secondary content management system described herein. The various components of the exemplary embodiment of the network 100 include (i) one or more data and application origination sources 102; (ii) one or more content sources 103, (iii) one or more application distribution servers 104; (iv) one or more VOD servers 105, (v) client devices and/or Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) 106, (vi) one or more routers 108, (vii) one or more wireless access point controllers 110 (may be placed more locally as shown or in the headend or core” portion of network), (viii) one or more cable modems 112, and/or (ix) one or more access points 114. The distribution server(s) 104, VOD servers 105 and CPE/client device(s) 106 are connected via a bearer (e.g., HFC) network 101. A simple architecture comprising one of each of certain components 102, 103, 104, 105, 108, 110 is shown in FIG. 1 for simplicity, although it will be recognized that comparable architectures with multiple origination sources, distribution servers, VOD servers, controllers, and/or client devices (as well as different network topologies) may be utilized consistent with the present disclosure. For example, the headend architecture of FIG. 1a (described in greater detail below), or others, may be used.

FIG. 1a shows one exemplary embodiment of a headend architecture. As shown in FIG. 1a , the headend architecture 150 comprises typical headend components and services including billing module 152, subscriber management system (SMS) and client/CPE configuration management module 154, cable modem termination system (CMTS) and OOB system 156, as well as LAN(s) 158, 160 placing the various components in data communication with one another. It will be appreciated that while a bar or bus LAN topology is illustrated, any number of other arrangements as previously referenced (e.g., ring, star, etc.) may be used consistent with the disclosure. It will also be appreciated that the headend configuration depicted in FIG. 1a is high-level, conceptual architecture, and that each MSO may have multiple headends deployed using custom architectures.

Moreover, the functions described below with respect to FIGS. 2-4 g can be (i) co-located at one or more centralized locations within the network (e.g., at one or more headends), (i) distributed throughout various disparate locations of the MSO-managed network; or (iii) distributed at various locations within and external to the MSO-managed network (e.g., use assets, sources, etc. which are maintained by one or more third party data sources or providers).

The exemplary architecture 150 of FIG. 1a further includes a conditional access system (CAS) 157 and a multiplexer-encrypter-modulator (MEM) 162 coupled to the HFC network 101 adapted to process or condition content (including e.g., secondary content such as advertisements) for transmission over the network. The distribution servers 164 are coupled to the LAN 160, which provides access to the MEM 162 and network 101 via one or more file servers 170. The VOD servers 105 are coupled to the LAN 160 as well, although other architectures may be employed (such as for example where the VOD servers are associated with a core switching device such as an 802.3z Gigabit Ethernet device). As previously described, information is carried across multiple channels. Thus, the headend must be adapted to acquire the information for the carried channels from various sources. Typically, the channels being delivered from the headend 150 to the client devices/CPE 106 (“downstream”) are multiplexed together in the headend, as previously described and sent to neighborhood hubs (as shown in the exemplary scheme of FIG. 1b ) via a variety of interposed network components.

Content (e.g., audio, video, data, files, etc.) is provided in each downstream (in-band) channel associated with the relevant service group. To communicate with the headend or intermediary node (e.g., hub server), the client devices/CPE 106 may use the out-of-band (OOB) or DOCSIS channels and associated protocols. The OCAP 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 3.1 (and subsequent) specification provides for exemplary networking protocols both downstream and upstream, although the present disclosure is in no way limited to these approaches.

FIG. 1c illustrates an exemplary “switched” network architecture. Specifically, the headend 150 contains switched broadcast control 190 and media path functions 192; these element cooperating to control and feed, respectively, downstream or edge switching devices 194 at the hub site which are used to selectively switch broadcast streams to various service groups. Broadcast switched architecture (BSA) media path 192 may include a staging processor 195, source programs, and bulk encryption in communication with a switch 275. A BSA server 196 is also disposed at the hub site, and implements functions related to switching and bandwidth conservation (in conjunction with a management entity 198 disposed at the headend). An optical transport ring 197 is utilized to distribute the dense wave-division multiplexed (DWDM) optical signals to each hub in an efficient fashion.

In addition to “broadcast” content (e.g., video programming), the systems of FIGS. 1a and 1c (and 1 d discussed below) also deliver Internet data services using the Internet protocol (IP), although other protocols and transport mechanisms of the type well known in the digital communication art may be substituted. One exemplary delivery paradigm comprises delivering MPEG-based video content, with the video transported to user client devices (including IP-based STBs or IP-enabled consumer devices) over the aforementioned DOCSIS channels comprising MPEG (or other video codec such as H.264 or AVC) over IP over MPEG. That is, the higher layer MPEG- or other encoded content is encapsulated using an IP protocol, which then utilizes an MPEG packetization of the type well known in the art for delivery over the RF channels. In this fashion, a parallel delivery mode to the normal broadcast delivery exists; i.e., delivery of video content both over traditional downstream QAMs to the tuner of the user's STB or other receiver device for viewing on the television, and also as packetized IP data over the DOCSIS QAMs to the user's client device or other IP-enabled device via the user's cable modem. Delivery in such packetized modes may be unicast, multicast, or broadcast.

Referring again to FIG. 1c , the IP packets associated with Internet services are received by the edge switch 194, and in one embodiment forwarded to the cable modem termination system (CMTS) 199. The CMTS examines the packets, and forwards packets intended for the local network to the edge switch 194. Other packets are discarded or routed to another component. As an aside, a cable modem is used to interface with a network counterpart (e.g., CMTS) so as to permit two-way broadband data service between the network and users within a given service group, such service which may be symmetric or asymmetric as desired (e.g., downstream bandwidth/capabilities/configurations may or may not be different than those of the upstream).

The edge switch 194 forwards the packets received from the CMTS 199 to the QAM modulator, which transmits the packets on one or more physical (QAM-modulated RF) channels to the CPE/client devices. The IP packets are typically transmitted on RF channels (e.g., DOCSIS QAMs) that are different that the RF channels used for the broadcast video and audio programming, although this is not a requirement. The client devices/CPE 106 are each configured to monitor the particular assigned RF channel (such as via a port or socket ID/address, or other such mechanism) for IP packets intended for the subscriber premises/address that they serve. For example, in one embodiment, a business customer premises obtains its Internet access (such as for a connected Wi-Fi AP) via a DOCSIS cable modem or other device capable of utilizing the cable “drop” to the premises (e.g., a premises gateway, etc.).

While the foregoing network architectures described herein can (and in fact do) carry packetized content (e.g., IP over MPEG for high-speed data or Internet TV, MPEG2 packet content over QAM for MPTS, etc.), they are often not optimized for such delivery. Hence, in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure, a “packet optimized” delivery network is used for carriage of the packet content (e.g., Internet data, IPTV content, etc.). FIG. 1d illustrates one exemplary implementation of such a network, in the context of a 3GPP IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) network with common control plane and service delivery platform (SDP), as described in co-owned and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/764,746 filed Apr. 21, 2010 and entitled “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PACKETIZED CONTENT DELIVERY OVER A CONTENT DELIVERY NETWORK”, which is now published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0103374 of the same title, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Such a network provides, inter alia, significant enhancements in terms of common control of different services, implementation and management of content delivery sessions according to unicast or multicast models, etc.; however, it is appreciated that the various features of the present disclosure are in no way limited to this or any of the other foregoing architectures.

In another embodiment, the methods and apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,701,138 issued Apr. 15, 2014 and entitled “ZONE CONTROL METHODS AND APPARATUS”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, may be used consistent with the present disclosure. Specifically, the aforementioned patent discloses, inter alia, methods and apparatus for selectively providing targeted secondary content to a user based at least in part on a logical, geographic, or other “zone” or space associated with the user. In one embodiment, when the user requests primary content at a non-legacy device (e.g., an IP-capable device such as an IP-enabled DSTB, portable computer, or 4G smartphone), the secondary content that is provided therewith is the same secondary content which would have been provided to the user had the request been generated at a legacy device; i.e., the “zone” (whether geographic, demographic, psychographic, or otherwise) is preserved. In one implementation, a non-legacy device is associated with a user's zone by introducing a link between a server providing content to the device (e.g., a web server) and a server which has the ability to determine an appropriate zone for the user. This is accomplished for example by associating each user with an advertisement zone identifier. Alternatively, the foregoing may be accomplished by associating each user with a device that is associated with a physical hub or node identifier, which, in turn, is associated with an advertisement zone identifier. In yet another variant, a service group identifier (rather than advertisement zone identifier) may be used.

Hence, using such methods and apparatus, the “reach” of a given advertising schedule (and its associated particular spots) generated using the methodology herein that is based on data derived from legacy CPE can be preserved for non-legacy, mobile devices.

It will also be appreciated that the methods and apparatus described herein can be readily adapted for use with non-linear delivery paradigms such as e.g., VOD (video on demand). In one such variant, non-linear content-related events can be modeled according to a statistical or other scheme, such as based on historical activity (e.g., historical data indicating that in a given zone, there are certain frequencies and/or temporal distributions of activities such as VOD request, Start-Over requests, IP-based streaming sessions, etc.), and such information used as part of the aforementioned “inventory” of insertion opportunities,

In one implementation, the non-linear content (e.g., VOD movie or TV episode) is characterized, whether by the MSO or an upstream content source or processing entity, as to one or more themes or logical threads associated with the content. For example, an animated movie about pets could be categorized in terms of themes relating to (i) animals generally; (ii) dogs and/or cats specifically; and (iii) humane societies (e.g., SPCA), was well as others. Such theme characterizations (e.g., in the form of alphanumeric codes or the like) can be used to correlate the movie with one or more networks/content channels (e.g., Animal Planet), the latter which also has associated insertion opportunities. Hence, advertisements targeted at the network/content channel would also presumably have at least some applicability to requesters of the non-linear content. In one methodology, one or more insertion opportunities associated with the non-linear content (e.g., at onset, such as when VOD session is queueing up the requested content for delivery, at a pre-planned intermediate break within the movie, at the end of the movie, or as part of a telescoping function associated with the movie) are identified, whether before delivery or “on the fly” during delivery, and the theme identifiers are accessed and correlated to an extant network/content channel campaign or bundle, and one or more secondary content elements drawn from the latter for insertion into the non-linear opportunities based on e.g., fitting within a prescribed temporal window, suitability for audience (e.g., no “adult” themes for a prospectively juvenile audience), and other such criteria relating to the compatibility of the secondary content for the non-linear (primary) content and its audience.

The network architecture(s) of FIGS. 1-1 d may further include one or more packaging processes or entities (not shown) in data communication with e.g., a network server (which may include a cloud or network DVR or PVR server). An exemplary packager performs a number of different functions, including: (i) transcoding of content; (ii) segmentation and associated processing; (iii) digital rights management (DRM) data processing and insertion; and (iv) secondary content insertion. The “packaged” streams are then distributed to the requesting users on an individual basis; i.e., per requesting device IP address via one or more routers and other network infrastructure (e.g., HSD/DOCSIS modem) of the distribution network (see, e.g., the network 100 of FIG. 1). Hence, each individual stream may be individually controlled (including trick-mode functionality if supported), individually tailored with inserted advertisements, individually tailored DRM, and even individually routed through the network infrastructure, including to multiple distinct clients within the same premises or household, thereby enabling multiple users within that premises to independently watch different recorded program elements.

In yet other implementations, the aforementioned content distribution network 100 comprises both “managed” and “unmanaged” (or off-network) services, so that a network operator can utilize both its own and external infrastructure to provide content delivery (including secondary content as part of the foregoing “bundles”) to its subscribers in various locations and use cases. In one variant of this approach, network services are sent “over the top” of other provider's infrastructure, thereby making the service network substantially network-agnostic.

In another variant, a cooperative approach between service providers is utilized, so that features or capabilities present in one provider's network (e.g., authentication of mobile devices) can be leveraged by another provider operating in cooperation therewith.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the various secondary content management aspects and functionalities of the present disclosure are effectively agnostic to the bearer network architecture or medium, and hence literally any type of delivery mechanism can be utilized consistent with the disclosure provided herein.

Secondary Content Management Architecture-

Referring now to FIG. 2, one embodiment of a network-based secondary content management architecture according to the present disclosure is described. As shown, the architecture 200 includes a number of different components, including a secondary content management engine (SCME) 203 running on an SCME server 202, an audience measurement (AM) aggregator 212 and associated AM database 204, a Syscode database 210, a rate data (e.g., “rate card”) database 211, and an inventory database 206 and associated aggregator 208. The components are each in data communication with one another via a LAN/WAN/MAN 201, thereby enabling each of the components to be disposed at disparate locations if desired or required. Moreover, while the architecture 200 of FIG. 2 illustrates basically an MSO-based system, one or more of the foregoing components may be third-party owned or operated.

In operation, the SCME 203 obtains (via the SCME server 202) all of the necessary data for performance of the methodologies described below with respect to FIGS. 3-4 g via the access network 201. In one implementation, the SCME process 203 comprises a number of different functional software modules, including protocols for making calls or “pulls” of data from the various databases and other entities. For example, in one variant, a data pull or request is made to the AM database 204, inventory database 206, Syscodes database 210, MSO subscriber database 216, and rate database 211 upon instigation from a higher layer process of the SCME 203, such as upon construction of a model according to FIG. 4 described below. These accesses are made using suitable pull technologies, e.g., Microsoft.net technologies, for collecting data from the data sources. Alternatively, data from the various sources can be “pushed” (e.g., according to a periodic schedule, when updated, etc.) and stored locally within the SCME server 202.

The AM data aggregator 212 is in the illustrated embodiment a software process which obtains and aggregates audience measurement data from the various CPE or other client devices 106 of the MSO network, such as via an OOB upstream message from each subscriber's DSTB which includes tuning data, or alternatively via a network entity receiving or otherwise providing the tuning data (e.g., a switched server such as that of FIG. 1c herein). The AM aggregator may also parse or otherwise store the data along with data enabling the specific device to be identified (e.g., via MAC address or the like), as well as the service group or other information enabling a user of the AM data to sort or retrieve it based on geographic zone or other parameter of interest.

In this manner, the SCME 203 can obtain AM data only for relevant subsets of the MSO subscriber pool (or the entirety thereof) when performing its analysis. It will be appreciated that while an MSO-based AM database and aggregator are shown, third party sources of data (e.g., so-called “TAM” systems and/or Nielsen-derived AM data) may be used consistent with the present disclosure as well.

Likewise, the inventory aggregator 208 comprises a software process which accesses third party and/or MSO data to determine an inventory of available spots within various content networks during a given time period. For instance, in one variant, the SCME 203 specifies a relevant time period (e.g., one broadcast month), and accordingly accesses the available inventory database 206 for relevant data. If such data is not available in the database 206, the aggregator 208 may query external databases or sources (via, e.g., the Internet 109 as shown) to obtain the necessary information. It will be recognized that while the aggregator 208 is shown as an MSO entity, in fact it may be wholly or partly managed (or its functionality provided) by a third party service.

Secondary Content Measurement Entity (SCME)-

FIG. 2a illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a secondary content management entity 203 and server 202 useful with the present disclosure. As shown, the SCME server 202 generally comprises one or more network interfaces 260 for interfacing with other entities of the content delivery network 101 and/or the managed network headend 150 (including the LAN/MAN/WAN 201 of FIG. 2 as illustrated), a processor 250, a memory apparatus 254, mass storage 270 (e.g., RAID array, solid state drive (SSD), HDD, and/or NAND/NOR flash memory), and a plurality of backend or local interfaces 262 such as e.g., USB, IEEE-1394 (Fire Wire), Thunderbolt, IEEE Std. 802.11 (Wi-Fi), etc.

The SCME server 202 also includes a user or operator interface 256, which is useful for structuring schedules, conducting simulations, generating the output schedule data in a tangible form for provision to customers, generating reports, etc. In one embodiment, the user interface is implemented in a windowed software environment of the type well known in the computer arts, although other approaches may be used. Moreover, it is appreciated that the user interface 256 may also include a remote interface (such as via a web-based client application 222 shown in FIG. 2) for the customer, by which the customer can log in to a secure MSO server, review the various product offerings, provide input as to desired performance, markets, types of good/services, budget, provide payment source information, and other information needed by the SCME process 203 to perform the above-described methodologies.

In the illustrated embodiment, the SCME process 203 (i.e., computerized logic rendered as code) is implemented on one or more servers 202 (which may be geographically localized, such as in a server “farm”, or alternatively distributed across multiple geographic regions), and may also be physically and/or logically integrated with other components of the MSO network, such as the aforementioned packaging entity, network management modules, etc.

In the illustrated implementation, the SCME server functionality is based on an exemplary Microsoft® SQL Server® Enterprise suite, although it will be appreciated that other configurations may be used consistent with the present disclosure. The exemplary SQL Server Enterprise suite provides, inter alia, high levels of speed/performance, encryption, local and “cloud” database access, and policy-based management. Specifically, SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) and SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) are two salient features of SQL Server that enable the exemplary SQL Server to provide the desired functionality in the exemplary embodiments, as well as enhanced data partitioning and dimensional table functionality.

As is well known, data warehouses are typically built using dimensional data models which include fact and dimension tables. Dimension tables are used to describe dimensions; they contain e.g., dimension keys, values and attributes. As but one example, an exemplary “time” dimension might contain chronological increments or references (e.g., hour, day, month, etc.). An exemplary product or service dimension could contain a name and description of products or services the MSO provides (e.g., advertising schedules for particular reach and frequency targets such as described above), their pricing, and other attributes as applicable such as Syscodes.

Dimension tables are often small; however, in the exemplary embodiment described herein, the dimension tables may grow to literally hundreds or thousands of entries or rows; e.g., one for each generated schedule, Syscode, advertiser or customer account, DMA/markets, etc.

Data warehouses may have multiple time dimensions as well. Since the warehouse may be used for finding and examining performance such as reach and frequency, it is often important to understand when each event has occurred; e.g., AM tuning events associated with subscriber client devices, airing or broadcast of certain ads, etc. A common time dimension is calendar time.

Fact tables may contain e.g., keys to dimension tables, as well as measurable facts useful to implementing the various algorithms described herein. For example, in one embodiment, the MSO might maintain a fact table recording provision of an advertising service or “product” to a given customer, or other such records.

Similar to data warehouses, such fact tables can grow very large, with thousands or even millions of rows in the exemplary context of a nationwide MSO with millions of subscribers and thousands of advertisers. This underscores some of the advantageous aspects of the present disclosure; i.e., efficient accumulation, storage, management, simulation/modeling, and utilization of possibly hundreds or thousands of entries (e.g., events) for thousands of advertisers (and tuning event data for millions of subscribers) is not only arduous, but effectively impossible using any manual processes, especially if the analysis, update, and offering of advertising products is to be implemented in a timely fashion (i.e., such that the latency between an advertiser wishing to engage in an advertising schedule or campaign, and the modeling, simulation, and actual implementation of the campaign is minimized).

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that various levels of “granularity” may be used in constructing the aforementioned data structures, depending on factors such as (i) availability of data (e.g., data may only be available in certain time increments, certain performance variables, etc.); (ii) desired frequency of simulation or analysis; (iii) desired end result or performance metrics, etc.

In implementation, the SCME application 203 comprises one or more computer programs with a plurality of instructions which when executed by the processor 250, cause the SCME to process the collected data and generate simulations, output schedules, etc. as described further below. In one implementation, the application computer program is rendered in a C#(“C Sharp”) object-oriented programming language (C#was chosen in the exemplary embodiment for use of the .NET Framework, which provides large libraries with built in capabilities and methods useful in the context of the present disclosure), although it will be appreciated that other languages may be used consistent with the present disclosure. The activity data collection entity 208 processes the collected data by, for example, validating, analyzing, and/or normalizing the collected data to generate a database of user and activity information. The SCME 203 normalizes (if necessary) the data by, for example, extracting information from the data and organizing the extracted information into a predefined format. The extracted information may include e.g., a user identifier, an activity identifier, and a data and time stamp for the activity. Processing the collected data prepares the data for correlation with other additional data obtained from the other database sources of FIG. 2. The processed data (intermediary or final form) may be stored in the SCME server mass storage device 270; or alternatively attached local storage or even cloud storage (i.e., off-MSO network).

Methodology

FIG. 3 is a logical flow diagram illustrating an exemplary generalized method for managing secondary content within a managed network environment, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the method 300 includes first obtaining user or audience data per step 302. As discussed in greater detail below, such data can be obtained from any number of different sources, including indigenous MSO or third party databases (e.g., an Audience Measurement database which represents an electronic census of user DSTB or other tuning events over a period of time, aggregated into a relational database).

It may also be related to or derived from any number of different populations (or subsets thereof), as well as having varying temporal relationships. For example, the data may be obtained (generally) from (i) the target consumers of the advertised product/service, e.g., the subscribers of the MSO's managed network only, (ii) based on data from non-subscriber persons (e.g., generated by a third party from the population at large), or (iii) a mixture of (i) and (ii). The obtained data may be real-time or near-real time (such as is collected on an ongoing basis from subscribers via their DSTB tuning, online, or other activities), or may be historical in nature, such as where the data is associated with a particular temporal period (e.g., last calendar month), or an event (e.g., during the NFL Super Bowl of the prior year).

Next, per step 304, a current secondary content insertion “inventory” is obtained, whether from data already obtained by the system (e.g., stored in an MSO database), “pushed” to the MSO (such as via periodic updates from a network content provider or third party aggregating service), or retrieved via a query or data “pull” (e.g., to the network content provider or aggregator). In the exemplary embodiment, the inventory comprises data (files or records) indicative of placement opportunities available in the future, and their associated content provider network (e.g., three 30-second time slots during NBC Nightly News or the like). Such data may be individual in granularity (i.e., as to each individual slot), or aggregated at varying levels (i.e., as to multiple slots on the same content network, multiple slots at the same time but on different networks, and/or both). A standardized data format—e.g., “flat” csv (comma separated values) format—is utilized in the exemplary implementation in order to make compilation and sorting of the data efficient as possible. Next, per step 306 of the method 300, data indicating one or more rate structures is determined by the system. For example, in one implementation, data files are obtained from an MSO-maintained database, which indicate advertising rates to be applied to given slots/content networks. Such rates may be specified in relative or absolute numbers (e.g., $X, +$X<A>, or the like), or may be derived from a prescribed formula or set of formulas from which the desired rate can be determined by entering one or more arguments/variables. In an exemplary implementation (described below), a multi-tier pricing model is applied. The rate structure may also be non-static, such that even after a schedule is determined (step 310) and delivered to a customer, it may change based on e.g., prevailing conditions such as changes in demand, unforeseen events, etc.

Per step 308, the “spots” are calculated. In the exemplary embodiment, this calculation involves determining the number of individual spots that will achieve the desired performance or result (e.g., percentage of penetration and/or frequency, and/or other parametric target values). This can be determined by, inter alia, modeling and simulation based on prior performance data associated with individual selected advertisements or content elements (see detailed discussion below).

Per step 310, assembly of the schedule is performed. In the exemplary embodiment, the scheduling calculation takes into account: (a) the available inventory; (b) prescribed restrictions or screening criteria (e.g., customer budget and/or desires, if known); (c) the imported rate data; (d) the selected secondary content elements; and (e) the number of spots needed to attain the desired performance (i.e., results from step 308 above). The output of step 310 may be for instance an electronic schedule indicative of what content elements (e.g., advertisements) should be run in which slots on which content networks; this schedule can be fed back to a content packager such as that previously referenced.

FIG. 3a is a graphic representation of one particular implementation of the methodology 300 of FIG. 3 by the computerized system of the present disclosure. As shown, audience measurement data (e.g., obtained from the MSO subscriber CPE (e.g., DSTB or other) is obtained from a first database 212 (FIG. 2), while the inventory and rate “cards” are obtained from respective databases 206, 211. Calculation of the spots is performed by the algorithmic logic of the SCME 203, the output of which 330 is the electronic or other scheduling information.

In the exemplary embodiment, the methodology 300 of FIG. 3 utilizes local advertising zone (e.g., system codes or “Syscodes”) to generate schedules for use with “linear” (e.g., broadcast) content. A Syscode typically comprises a 4-digit code assigned by National Cable Communications Media (NCC) to represent a specific geography available for advertisement insertion, such as in a local region served by a cable network. A Syscode may represent a specific zone, a grouping of zones, an entire interconnect (i.e., aggregation of zones within a market or DMA), or even an interconnect and adjoining zones. A given subscriber (e.g., household or premises) may fall into several Syscodes.

Audience measurement (AM) data, (such as e.g., the data associated with the media consumption database of the assignee hereof relating to subscriber client device 106 usage and tuning events) is also used to determine an optimal “spot count” (i.e., number of individual advertising time slots) to reach a specific share of households or other target entities within a given advertising zone, and achieve a target frequency. As used herein, the term “reach” refers without limitation to the number of viewers that have seen an advertisement/campaign, while “frequency” refers without limitation to the number of discrete times a viewer has seen an advertisement/campaign. Hence, targets can be specified both in terms of reach and frequency (and in fact other parameters, such as e.g., impression quality). In an exemplary implementation, the reach targets are configurable, and are set to prescribed heuristic or “fuzzy” logic variable values such as “20%”, “40%”, and “60%”, or “low”, “medium”, and “high” of households within one or more given advertising zones. The frequency for each of the targets can also be independently set, such as at discrete numerical values (e.g., 1, 2, and 3 times). So, for example, a given target “tuple” of {R, F} can be generated by the system, such as where an advertiser wishes 40% of a given zone to be “penetrated” to a depth of 2 impressions per viewer (i.e., 40% of the zone has seen the ad at least two different times).

Other examples of performance criteria that may be used consistent with the present disclosure might include: (i) percentage (%) of spots on a per-network tier basis, (ii) % of spots on a per-daypart basis (e.g., “morning drive”, “primetime”, “breakfast”, etc.), or (iii) a numerical quantity of individual spots.

The foregoing schedules may optimized around a time frame, such as e.g., one (1) broadcast month, two (2) broadcast weeks, etc., are market-based, and are provided at the advertising zone (Syscode) level.

Once the spot counts are determined, a second month of historical data is selected, and the modeling simulations re-run (typically numerous times) to validate the previously determined spot counts. It will also be appreciated that where some disparity exists (e.g., the validation data aligns poorly with the modeled simulations), changes to the model/assumptions can be made and the simulations re-run to test the correlation, and/or other techniques can be used (such as averaging spot counts derived from varying sets of simulation assumptions and/or validation data, performing a linear regression, etc.).

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 4 a, one particular implementation of the generalized methodology 300 of FIG. 3 is shown and described in detail. It will be appreciated that while the following embodiment of the method 400 is described substantially as a sequence of steps, many of the described steps and processes: (i) may be performed concurrently or out of sequence with others of the steps; and (ii) may be iterative and/or optional in nature; e.g., performed recursively or on an as-needed basis. The logical flow 460 shown in FIG. 4a illustrates one particular implementation of the method 400 in the context of advertising content distributed within the aforementioned managed content distribution network.

As shown in FIG. 4, the method 400 starts with selection of a date range per step 402. Next, the Nielsen DMA (Designated Market Area) or other “market” are defined per step 404. In one embodiment, the market is defined in terms of geographic parameters (e.g., Southern California, San Diego metropolitan area), although it will be appreciated that the market may be defined according to other approaches (whether alone or in conjunction with the aforementioned geographic description), including without limitation by MSO distribution network sub-portions or service groups, IP addresses, service types (e.g., all high-speed data (HSD) subscribers), or yet other parameters. It is also appreciated that the “market” and DMA may or may not be synonymous, depending on the specification of the former.

Next, per step 406, the selected market/DMA from step 404 is correlated to one or more Syscodes, such as by logical entry into the Syscode database 210 using the various DMA/market parameters as search criteria.

Per steps 408 and 410, the inventory data is imported from the inventory database 206 and analyzed so as to find the content networks on which the MSO can insert secondary content such as advertisements, and to determine the amount (number, size) of available spots for a given content network.

Next, per step 412, the advertiser-selected criteria for performance or penetration are applied, such as those described supra.

Based on the criteria of step 412, the method 400 next chooses the networks to include in each advertising schedule in step 414. As part of this process, certain content networks may be excluded, such as based on their typical content, or to be reserved for future demand (i.e., planned use in another schedule or campaign). FIG. 4b illustrates one exemplary content network inclusion table structure 450, organized by advertisement zone code (alpha code for the region). In one exemplary embodiment, MSO-specific codes (e.g., RLDU or “retail unit code”) are utilized, although generic or non MSO-specific codes may be used as well. Next, per step 416, a count of “subscribers” for a market is obtained. This information can be obtained for example from the MSO subscriber database 216 (FIG. 2). It is noted that the term “subscriber” in this context may refer to individual persons (such as individual users or family members with a household), the households or other entities themselves, or even specific client devices (e.g., DSTB versus portable device such as a tablet, Smart TV, etc.), as well subsets thereof (e.g., active TV-consuming households). This information is used to provide a quantity of subscribers (e.g., households) required to reach the prescribed performance targets.

Per step 418, a count of the viewership for each content network is obtained, grouped by one or more prescribed criteria (e.g., by content network tier and/or daypart). Such grouping is constructed in order to appeal to clients, and ensure “clearance” (i.e., that an advertisement runs as assigned; if an advertisement's rate is too low, it can be replaced by a more highly placed spot). For instance, in one implementation, spots are allocated by network tier (e.g., allocated across “top 10” and “other” content networks; see FIG. 4c ), and by daypart (e.g., between “prime time” and “daytime”; see FIG. 4c ).

Per step 420, the selected content networks are ranked, such as based on reach, frequency and/or inventory availability (defined above). See for example the exemplary ranking of FIG. 4d , wherein exemplary “top 10” and non-top 10 content networks are ranked. In the illustrated implementation of FIG. 4d , the AM data referenced above for each content network (historical) is merged with inventory data to generate a sequential rank of the networks. Specifically, the rank is derived through a direct multiplication of the individual percentage (%) values shown on the chart; for example, USA network is ranked No. 1 in the “top 10” category because the multiplicative of its AM data percentage (63%) multiplied by the inventory data percentage (81%) yields a result greater than any of the less highly ranked networks. It will be appreciated, however, that other types of rankings and schemes may be utilized consistent with the methodology 400 as well. For instance, a rank for each content network for each of the three foregoing factors may be derived, and the factors weighted or otherwise valued so as to enable derivation of an aggregated or overall rank, and/or for filtration or refinement purposes (e.g., any of the ranked content networks might be excluded per step 414 if their “reach” attribute rank falls below a certain value). For example, Table 1 below illustrates one such exemplary weighting scheme, wherein a first network (Net1) scores higher in rank than a second network (Net2) in the aggregate, even though the second network has better reach:

TABLE 1 Attribute Attribute Performance Score - Net1 score Score - Net2 score Attribute Weight (% of target) (Net1) (% of target) (Net2) Reach 0.5 30 0.15 45 0.225 Inventory 0.2 75 0.15 58 0.116 Availability Frequency 0.3 65 0.195 33 0.099 Sum 0.495 0.440

Per step 422, the relevant rate data (e.g., “rate card”) for the target market/DMA is imported, as well as the timing schedule for the slots

Next, per step 424, unique secondary content (e.g., advertisements) for the timeframe (e.g., part of day, time of day, or date range) selected in step 402 is selected. In the exemplary implementation, advertisements having an associated cost outside of certain prescribed criteria are excluded (e.g., less than a certain dollar floor, and greater than one or more rates specified on the rate card). As will be appreciated, rates for advertisements may vary based on e.g., time of day (prime time typically more than morning), proximity to other scheduled events, day of the week.

Per step 426, the selected advertisements from step 422 are each assign a random number, and then each random advertising event is ranked.) In one implementation, advertisements are selected based on the randomly assigned number falling within a range (e.g., all ads with numbers 1-1000). The quantity of advertisements for each daypart, network tier, and or other grouping criteria is also specified in this step.

FIG. 4e illustrates the relationship between the “reach” variable and different content network-spot loading. As shown, for a given Syscode, the reach increases generally proportional to the spot count, with the rate of reach increase declining over increased spot count due to, inter alia, market saturation. FIG. 4e is based on simulations run; i.e., spots are tested at various intervals to determine how many spots are required to reach the specified target. The ordinate (Y axis) is the % reach (% of the market that is being targeted), while the abscissa (X axis) represents the number of spots that being tested. Within each spot count, the number of networks and/or dayparts may be varied. The illustrated variation in color within a spot count in FIG. 4e represents a change in network or daypart mix, and each circle represents one (1) test run. When building the actual schedules, typically thousands of runs are performed to validate the spot counts generated by the simulation. Next, per step 428, the corresponding monthly viewership data for the advertisements selected in the prior steps are obtained, such as from audience measurement (AM) data. Per step 430, one or more simulations are run so as to identify the average performance (e.g., reach and frequency), and each simulation averaged for the quantity of spots. In one embodiment, the simulations are run for various network/spot count combinations, so as to determine an optimal network-specific spot count. In one exemplary implementation, a random sample of spots are selected, and tested to see if the target is achieved. If not, the number of spots is increased incrementally until the target is achieved.

Per step 432, the performance of the simulations is evaluated, including evaluating the number of times that the simulations for the number of ads achieved the prescribed performance target(s). From this data, the minimum number of spots necessary to achieve the target(s) is determined per step 434, such as via summing of the number of times that the simulation achieved the goal. In one exemplary implementation, the simulation must achieve the target (e.g., 95% of the time) for the spots quantity to be selected. For instance, one-thousand (1000) simulations are run per spot count; as such the target would have to be achieved 950 times. Based on this determination, the simulations are repeated, yet utilizing different source data (e.g., for a different month) to validate the spot counts (step 436).

Lastly, per step 438, the validated spot data from step 436 is used to assign a price the generated schedule, such as via use of the average unit rate, and include the reach, frequency and impression data.

In the exemplary embodiment, multiple (three) different suggested pricing models for customer advertising bundles are utilized, although it will be appreciated that more or less pricing models or tiers can be utilized consistent with the methodologies disclosed herein. Specifically, these three (3) models include: (i) a “rate card” model, wherein the spots are priced according to the preexisting market rate card (at their cost in rate cards (before any discounts; see discussion above); (ii) an effective rate model, wherein spots are priced according to the rate at which they were sold in the market (after discounts), and (iii) a blended rate model, wherein a certain category (e.g., top 10 prime spots) are priced according to one scheme such as a rate card, and all other spots are priced according to effective rate. In the exemplary implementation of the method 400 (see FIG. 4f ), the AUR is obtained from the accessed AM data. Yet other models for pricing will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill given the present disclosure.

FIG. 4g illustrates anecdotal performance data for exemplary software implementations of the foregoing method 400 constructed by the inventors hereof. As shown in FIG. 4g , for a selected DMA and reach target (i.e., 40%), the method 400 achieves good results in terms of reach and frequency. Specifically, as shown, schedules for the six (6) relevant Sycodes (i.e., 664, 668, 1028, 9527, 9528, and 9529) all exceeded 45% per-household reach, and frequencies between 1.8 and 2.0, as compared to historical data for the same Syscodes (i.e., each circle represents a historical campaign that ran during the selected time frame in the given market, with the color of the circles being based on Syscode). It will be recognized that while certain aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of a specific sequence of steps of a method, these descriptions are only illustrative of the broader methods of the disclosure, and may be modified as required by the particular application. Certain steps may be rendered unnecessary or optional under certain circumstances. Additionally, certain steps or functionality may be added to the disclosed embodiments, or the order of performance of two or more steps permuted. All such variations are considered to be encompassed within the disclosure disclosed and claimed herein. While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointed out novel features of the disclosure as applied to various embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the device or process illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the disclosure. The foregoing description is of the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the disclosure. This description is in no way meant to be limiting, but rather should be taken as illustrative of the general principles of the disclosure. The scope of the disclosure should be determined with reference to the claims.

It will be appreciated that while certain steps and aspects of the various methods and apparatus described herein may be performed by a human being, the disclosed computer technology improvements are computer-implemented, and computerized apparatus and methods are necessary to fully implement these aspects for any number of reasons including, without limitation, commercial viability, practicality, and even feasibility (i.e., certain steps/processes simply cannot be performed by a human being in any viable fashion). 

1.-31. (canceled)
 32. Computer readable apparatus comprising a non-transitory storage medium, the non-transitory storage medium comprising at least one computer program having a plurality of instructions, the plurality of instructions configured to, when executed on a processing apparatus, cause a computerized apparatus to: obtain first data, at least portion of the first data descriptive of available advertising inventory on a plurality of different content networks; obtain second data descriptive of one or more desired performance criteria for an advertising campaign to be conducted over at least some of the plurality of different content networks; algorithmically evaluate one or more performance attributes of selected ones of the plurality of different content networks based at least on activity data of one or more devices in data communication with a service provider network; and based at least on the obtained first data and second data, and the algorithmic evaluation, generate data indicative of a number of individual advertising spots necessary to achieve the one or more desired performance criteria.
 33. The computer readable apparatus of claim 32, wherein the plurality of instructions are further configured to, when executed on the processing apparatus, cause a computerized apparatus to obtain rate structure data associated with the available advertising inventory; and wherein the generation of the data indicative of the number of individual advertising spots necessary to achieve the one or more desired performance criteria is further based at least in part on the obtained rate structure data.
 34. The computer readable apparatus of claim 32, wherein the one or more desired performance criteria, and the one or more performance attributes, each comprise both (i) reach, and (ii) frequency.
 35. The computer readable apparatus of claim 32, wherein the generation of the data indicative of the number of individual advertising spots comprises performing a plurality of computerized simulations using one or more computer models.
 36. The computer readable apparatus of claim 32, wherein the plurality of instructions are further configured to, when executed on the processing apparatus, cause the computerized apparatus to generate data ranking of each of the plurality of different content networks based at least on the evaluated performance.
 37. The computer readable apparatus of claim 32, wherein the plurality of instructions are further configured to, when executed on the processing apparatus, cause the computerized apparatus to obtain and process the activity data of the one or more devices, the obtainment and processing comprising at least: (i) validation of the activity data, (ii) normalization of validated activity data; and (iii) generation of a database of user-specific activity data.
 38. The computer readable apparatus of claim 32, wherein the plurality of instructions are further configured to, when executed, cause the computerized apparatus to: generate data indicative of a schedule of the individual advertising spots across at least a portion of plurality of different content networks, the schedule configured to achieve the one or more desired performance criteria; and apply a multi-modal pricing structure to the generated data.
 39. The computer readable apparatus of claim 32, wherein the computerized apparatus comprises a server disposed within a headend or core portion of the service provider network, and the one or more devices in data communication with the service provider network comprise one or more IP (Internet Protocol) enabled user devices.
 40. A computerized method of algorithmically generating secondary content scheduling data configured to achieve one or more performance targets within a managed content distribution network having a plurality of subscribers, the computerized method comprising: obtaining first data relating to a selection of a target date range; obtaining second data descriptive of available advertising inventory on a plurality of different content networks for the target data range; obtaining third data descriptive of one or more desired performance criteria for an advertising campaign to be conducted over at least one of the plurality of different content networks; obtaining fourth data relating to use of one or more devices in data communication with the managed content distribution network; causing selection of at least one of the plurality of different content networks; generating performance data based on at least one algorithmic evaluation of the obtained fourth data, the generated performance data relating to the selected at least one content network; and based at least on the obtained first data, second data, third data, and the performance data, generating data descriptive of individual advertising instances necessary to achieve the one or more desired performance criteria.
 41. The computerized method of claim 40, further comprising: based on one or more exclusion criteria, excluding data relating to one or more networks of the plurality of different content networks; and wherein the obtaining fourth data relating to use of one or more devices in data communication with the managed content distribution network comprises obtaining viewership data for the one or more devices relating to non-excluded ones of the plurality of content networks.
 42. The computerized method of claim 40, further comprising: producing at least one schedule of the individual advertising instances; and assigning pricing to the produced at least one schedule.
 43. The computerized method of claim 40, wherein the obtaining third data descriptive of one or more desired performance criteria for the advertising campaign to be conducted over at least one of the plurality of different content networks comprises obtaining data associated with one or more target markets.
 44. The computerized method of claim 43, wherein the obtaining data associated with one or more target markets comprises obtaining one or more standardized descriptions associated with the one or more target markets.
 45. The computerized method of claim 40, wherein the second data comprises: (1) a listing of the plurality of different content networks having available insertion opportunities; and (2) a percentage of the available insertion opportunities sold, on both a per-content network and a per-tier basis.
 46. Computerized network apparatus configured for substantially automated calculation of advertising schedules for use by respective ones of a plurality of customers of a managed content distribution network operator, the computerized network apparatus comprising: server apparatus comprising: processor apparatus; network interface apparatus in data communication with the processor apparatus; and storage apparatus in data communication with the processor apparatus, the storage apparatus comprising at least one computer program configured to, when executed on the processor apparatus, cause the computerized network apparatus: receive, via the network interface apparatus, the plurality of respective sets of specifications from a plurality of client application computer programs in data communication with the server apparatus, the respective sets of specifications for respective advertising campaigns desired by respective ones of customers of the managed content distribution network operator; and for each of the plurality of respective sets of specifications: select at least one of a plurality of computerized models to utilize consistent with the respective set of specifications; obtain first data, at least portion of the first data descriptive of available advertising inventory on a plurality of different content networks; obtain second data descriptive of one or more desired performance criteria for an advertising campaign to be conducted over at least some of the plurality of different content networks; using at least the respective selected computerized model, algorithmically evaluate one or more performance attributes of selected ones of the plurality of different content networks; and based at least on the obtained first data and second data, and the algorithmic evaluation, generate data indicative of a respective advertising schedule.
 47. The computerized network apparatus of claim 46, wherein the plurality of respective sets of specifications comprise desired performance with respect to campaign reach.
 48. The computerized network apparatus of claim 46, wherein the plurality of models are each configured to utilize simulation-based projections comprising a plurality of simulations that are based on different ones of historical tuning data associated with a plurality of subscribers of the managed content distribution network operator. 